Ludwig

Carved this from an old oak plywood cabinet door. I finished this on my 60th birthday this year. I used a crooked knife (from Japan), wood chisels and Foredom chisels and grinding stones. Even used a 50mm #3 sweep Ashley Isles gouge. This was really helpful to take light controlled slices on curved surfaces. I had to make sure the knives were sharp to carve the plywood. I had a few unexpected areas where there were voids in the wood. I had to use putty to overcome that. The paint is airbrushed with an Old Masters Dark Walnut stain rubbed on/off. I first woodburned the image. This is a carving that a client from Japan commissioned me to make. I hope that she likes it. She is a music teacher and wanted something to hang up in her music room. She will be in the USA next week on a vacation and will get it then. She doesn’t know what music icon I was carving. I wouldn’t suggest using plywood as a first carving project. It is unforgiving and splinters unless you have very sharp tools and you carve on the bias. Additionally, I was unexpectantly running into small brads that were used to hold two 1/2” boards together. I didn’t notice it when I trimmed the edges to make the frame. All-in-all, I’m glad I made it. I choose plywood because it was there in my shop and it was free. It is about 18” x 18”. I have another one but it is 18” x 30”. I might make this with an Alice in Wonderland theme.

This piece is much like your previous work, Art more than craft. If she doesn’t like it, you can make another, as customers sometimes are difficult? Really wondering why you chose oak plywood flooring? I might have thought to use it for a backer and glued on more amenible (sp?) wood to carve?

Your work shows an artisan at work, and play. Wish I had your talent. LOL!

This was not oak plywood flooring….it was a kitchen cabinet door that was given to me. Infused it because the size fitted my vision of what I wanted. I have all kinds of wood that I could have used but the plywood spoke to me. Was it easy carving? Not really, but I wanted the gradiations of each ply to stand out in the face to give depth. I ‘m really a relief carver. I carve mostly in the round. I am pleased with the results and will probably try another. It is really weird, though. I first woodburned the image and then lightly carved the image. Sat on it for a few months then decided I had to go deeper….then deeper…then deeper. I then had to decide what to do with the background. I liked what Van Goth did with his Crows in the Field painting so I thought I wood gouge some patterns in the wood. That proved to be as difficult as the profile. I then had to sand the edges since they were sharp. I also had a time with the scarf. A little difficulty getting the image from my brain then into my hands. Then the paint scheme took a few iterations. This was a process for me like most of my work. Some people can just start creating in a sitting. I have to eat it….breathe it….live it and sometimes puke it. I love creating and am very critical of my work. I really appreciate all the kind words from everybody.

This is a mesmerizing piece of work, one that I’m not sure I’d want to be in the same room with for too long. He seems to be accusing you of something, playing the wrong notes perhaps?You, on the other hand have hit all the right notes here. The carving is patient and very evocative, much like an fine oil painting but instead cutting the brush strokes into the humblest of materials.60 looks good on you. Great work.gene

Thanks Gene for the kind words. It was my intention to try and make it look like an oil painting. I even used spray on varnish, that is used for oil painting sealer, for the coating. As far as the profile picture of me…well that was at 58 and some good ol’ Grecian formula I used for a joke. I think I better update that picture!

This is beautiful! I have several hardwood cabinet doors given to me by a cabinet making friend. Mostly samples. I’ve painted a rooster on one and hung it in the kitchen … but I never thought about carving them. I’ve always been fascinated with carving – so now I have a new winter project for next year :)

Thanks WebErica. This was truley a labor of love. Started out as a woodburning but then I got into it. The plywood has some challenges that’s for sure. This plywood about 11/2” thick and had small brads throughout hidden. I chose plywood because it was there. Like you, I recycle wood and in fact…am a wood freak!